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Essay About Yokai

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Yokai are usually mistaken as Japanese monsters. This misconception is partially correct since they are the mythological beings of the Japanese folklore. But it could have another descriptive meaning if its kanji form is used. Kanji are the Chinese letters or characters that Japan adopted in their writing system. Its parts encompass a categorizing radical which frequently conveys interpretation to it. In the term yokai, it contains two radicals, “yo” and “kai”. Mysterious, bewitching, unearthly or weird is implied by the radical “yo” while mystery, wonder or strange is defined by “kai”. Both radicals nuance mystery and strangeness. However “yo” is more on the fascination for the unknown while kai gives a frightening sensibility. Together, it can be …show more content…

After all, the Japanese yokai have a unique concept because of its types, its similarity and difference to the mythical creatures and its effect to the modern society. According to Mizuki Shigeru, the person who popularized the word yokai after World War II, there are four types of yokai namely Kaiju, Henge, Yurei and Choshizen. The kaiju are the monsters in the Japanese Folklore. From its Kanji radicals, "kai"(mysterious) and "ju" (beast), it can best be translated as mysterious beast. These creatures are the animals or insects with mysterious and magical powers. One representation of a kaiju in the modern context is Godzilla. Godzilla is often portrayed as a violent monster that cause havoc to its surroundings and getting killed in the end. However, as centuries passed by, the new era showed that it was just a misunderstood monster, who later then, helps mankind from other monsters. Meanwhile, henge are shape-shifters. The radicals hen (strange) and ge (to transform or change) truly depicts its definition. It can be also called obake or bakemono. It is somehow similar to kaiju but they are more intelligent than

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